Celebrated table

Le Petit Citron

Discover why this Shepherds Bush neighbourhood favourite earned a Good Food Guide Local Gem award for authentic French bistro fare.

Call restaurant

The story

Le Petit Citron: A Classic French Bistro in London

A Parisian corner in West London

Le Petit Citron delivers the unmistakable atmosphere of a traditional French bistro right along Shepherds Bush Road in London. Bentwood chairs and crisp gingham tablecloths create an immediate sense of familiarity before guests even approach the counter. This straightforward neighbourhood establishment secured its recognition as a Local Gem in the 2026 Good Food Guide for maintaining such a focused vision. The space feels lived in and genuinely welcoming to locals seeking routine comfort.

Savouring the menu

The kitchen embraces straightforward French cooking without unnecessary complications. Salty samphire pairs cleanly with roasted garlic prawns, offering a bright start to any meal. Crispy confit duck rests comfortably on soft textured Puy lentils, while regular visitors consistently return for reliable staples like steak frites or a steaming bowl of soupe de poissons. Every plate respects the original ingredients rather than chasing fleeting trends.

Sweet finishes and wine carafes

Desserts arrive with quiet consistency, anchored by the signature petit citron posset and a reliably rich warm pot au chocolat. The beverage list centres on French wines poured generously by the carafe to keep evening pacing relaxed. Patrons frequently select the weekly set menu or daily specials to stretch their budgets further across multiple courses. It remains a dependable destination for unpretentious meals that honour classic techniques.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026
The Good Food Guide
Local Gem

Details

At a glance

The Good Food Guide 2026 — Local Gem
Cuisines French

History

On the record

2026
The Good Food Guide — Local Gem

Quite a caricature of a French bistro, complete with bentwood chairs, gingham tablecloths and workaday glassware, this neighbourhood favourite ensures that diners’ expectations are focused mistily across the Channel even before they sit down. The menu also delivers, from soupe de poissons to steak frites, but stay with the theme to get the best from it: salty samphire with roasted garlic prawns or crispy confit duck with soft-textured Puy lentils, say. The house dessert – a 'petit citron' posset – is worth holding out for, and readers have raved about the warm pot au chocolat. Drink French wines by the carafe and stick to the weekly set menu (or the daily deals) to keep things reasonably affordable.

Established

Location

Find us

98-100 Shepherds Bush Road, Hammersmith, W6 7PD
London, United Kingdom
020 3019 1175
Map showing Le Petit Citron